By Floyd Godfrey

*The name Kyle has been used in this story to protect the identity of this young man.

Hi, I'm Kyle, a Christian teenager, and I want to share a part of my journey that's tough to talk about, but I hope it helps someone else. For a long time, I struggled with a pornography addiction, and it was something I kept hidden from my family. Patrick Carnes, an expert in this area, once said, "Addiction is a relationship, a pathological relationship in which obsession replaces people." This quote resonates with me because that's exactly how I felt—like I was in a relationship with my addiction, one that took me away from my real relationships with my family and God.

Hiding My Addiction

Hiding my addiction from my parents and siblings was challenging but became a part of my daily routine. I always made sure to clear my browser history and use private browsing modes. This way, if my parents or siblings ever used my device, they wouldn't stumble upon anything suspicious. I used it to store anything related to my addiction in a folder so it wasn’t so obvious. I waited for everyone to go to bed before indulging in my addiction. It was the only time I felt "safe" enough that I wouldn't get caught. Whenever my parents asked about what I was doing on my phone or computer for so long, I would make up excuses like homework or chatting with friends.

Signs of My Addiction

Despite my efforts to hide it, there were signs that I was struggling with an addiction. For a while I told myself it wasn’t a problem, but eventually couldn’t ignore it. I stopped wanting to hang out with my friends or participate in church activities because all I could think about was getting back to my addiction. Every time I gave in to my addiction, I felt a deep sense of guilt and shame, especially knowing what the Bible teaches about this stuff. It was a constant battle between my actions and my beliefs. My addiction created a barrier between me and God. I found it hard to pray or feel the Spirit's presence, which only made me feel worse about myself.

One time during a session with Floyd Godfrey, he challenged me to come clean about it. He quoted James 5:16 which says, "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." This verse hit home for me because it made me realize that healing starts with confession and seeking support.

A Journey Towards Recovery

Admitting I had a problem was the first step towards recovery. Opening up to my youth pastor and my parents was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but it was also the most liberating. Their support and understanding helped me see that recovery was possible and that I wasn't alone in this fight.

Recovery is a journey, and it's not always easy. There are good days and bad days, but the important thing is to keep moving forward. For anyone struggling with a similar addiction, know that it's never too late to seek help and make a change. With faith, support from loved ones, and professional guidance, overcoming addiction is possible. Let's hold onto hope and the promise of healing and redemption.

For more information about Floyd Godfrey and his services please visit his website: www.FloydGodfrey.com.